What is the best investment route for retirement if I need the option of withdrawing for kids college?

Question

Also for home purchase, could not fit it in.
Based on what I have found, it seems like a Roth IRA. ???
I also have 401k's and other investments, so this would be supplemental.

Answer 1

The Roth IRA
The tax breaks for a Roth IRA are different. Unlike a contribution to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA contribution is never deductible. Taking the above example, you'd still be taxed on $30,000 even though you had put the same $2,000 into a Roth IRA. However, when you withdraw the money from a Roth IRA, none of it -- and that includes the earnings -- will be taxed, assuming that the Roth IRA has been open for at least five tax-years and you are older than age 59 1/2. That's right -- you get off scot-free with the booty. All you have to do is to wait until you can withdraw it penalty-free. Again, that's after age 59 1/2, and as long as it's been in there for at least five years.

In other words, the Roth offers tax-exempt rather than simply tax-deferred savings. One word makes a big difference. While both allow you to accumulate wealth without paying taxes along the way on your profits, the traditional IRA ultimately sticks you with a tax bill for those profits (plus your initial contributions if those were deducted when made). The Roth doesn't. As long as you follow the rules, you never pay taxes on your gains. So paying the piper now before contributing to the Roth may work out to be better for you than paying him later on your investment profits.

The Roth makes particular sense for people otherwise limited to making non-deductible contributions to a regular IRA. And the Roth is fully available to single filers making up to $95,000 and couples making up to $150,000. It also allows you great flexibility by allowing you, in many cases, to withdraw your principal contributions at any time tax-free, without penalty. First-time homebuyers can also pull out $10,000 in profits penalty free and tax-free if the money has been in the Roth IRA for at least five tax years. There are also some breaks for education spending, though an Education IRA may be a better vehicle for education savings. Barring these exceptions, though, profits withdrawn before retirement age and before the money has been in the Roth for at least five tax-years will be taxed, plus you'll also incur a 10% penalty when those earnings are taken before age 59 1/2.

Answer 2

Yep, a Roth IRA is your best bet.

You'll be able to withdraw your contributions (not your earnings) at any time without paying taxes or penalties.

Answer 3

It sound slike a Roth IRA would be your best bet. There are no early withdrawl penalties as contributions are made after taxes.

Good luck, sounds like you are starting early and off to a good start!

Answer 4

you could put money in a mutual fund in the kids name with you as trustee -- they can make 800 a year of unearned taxes before it is reported!!!